Michigan State's Gary Harris peeks out from the bench as the team plays North Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Michigan State won the game, 78-48.J. Scott Park | MLive.com

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State guard Travis Trice went
through an injury-plagued sophomore year and in the Spartans' 78-48 win against
North Florida on Tuesday, he was sidelined by a blister on his foot.

"I was kind of mad today because one of my goals was not to
miss a game at all," Trice said, smiling.

Trice's discomfort was the latest to impact a Michigan State
team that was left with eight available scholarship players against North
Florida. The Spartans hope to get more back in time for Texas, including two with histories of injury troubles.

Trice said he "definitely" expected to play against the
Longhorns on Saturday. Gary Harris, who missed a second straight game and third
overall due to a sprained ankle, said his chances for a return in Austin were "very
high."

But the decision rests with coach Tom Izzo, who despite his
two guards' optimistic outlooks let them know before the game that neither
would play against North Florida despite both wanting to.

"I have no clue," Izzo said. "None."

Forward Matt Costello (mononucleosis) will not make the
trip, according to Izzo, who has been left frustrated by a recent rash of
injuries he couldn't control.

"We didn't have our team there," Izzo said of the North
Florida win. "Right now, we're scrambling."